‘I am.’
‘Could you see yourself staying?’ he asked quietly.
Bel moved slightly so as to see his face. ‘Staying?’
‘Yeah. Moving over here. Permanently.’
Move here. She’d been soaking in the atmosphere of the place, taking in everything around her, and envying the people who were lucky enough to call it their home. She hadn’t been imagining herself becoming one of them … until now. A million thoughts began racing through her head. Was it all happening too fast? But then, how could it be too fast when she’d manifested him? She’d been ready to meether soulmate, to be swept off her feet—and she had been. She was living the Jax Lexington life, minus the espionage and near-death experiences.This is what you’ve been waiting for.But there were other questions, practical ones like what would she do? How would she support herself? Where would she live?
‘I can see the wheels spinning in that head of yours,’ Tate chuckled.
‘There’s a lot to think about. I’m not sure how it would work. I don’t know if I could move in with you.’ It was one thing to do something like a short stay. That was out of character enough, but to move in together, like a couple? She could hear Emma’s voice in her head, demanding to know what the hell she was thinking
‘I’d have to find a job.’Leave my old one. ‘Leave Wessex.’Leave home.She was almost stunned by the idea.
‘Would that be the end of the world? I mean, it’s not like you were going anywhere there,’ he pointed out.
Bel felt a tiny ripple of irritation at his words. Jax would never irritate her. He always knew the right thing to say. She tried to think exactly what hewouldsay in this situation and honestly couldn’t.Jax would never be having this conversation.
But Tate was right. Wessex was not going to change any time soon, and her job was not going to get any more stimulating either. But what else could she do?Anything.You could literally do anything else.Which was also true.
‘I don’t know … I guess I could think about it.’
‘I think you should,’ he said, and she looked up into his serious gaze. ‘Because I don’t want to say goodbye to you in a few days’ time.’
‘But … why?’ she asked, genuinely confused by his request. ‘Why me?’
‘You’re stunning,’ he said, shaking his head, ‘and different to anyone I’ve ever met. You’ve got this innocence about you that I know I won’t find with anyone else.’
‘I think it’s probably because I don’t come from your world. I’m not like Larkin and the others.’
‘And that’s exactly what I like.’
‘But you don’t really know me. What if you get sick of whatever it is you seem to like about me? What if you want …’ she trailed off, searching for the right words to voice her concerns, the courage to say them.What happens if the novelty does wear off? What will you do then?
‘All I know is I’ve never been this captivated with anyone. I want to see where it goes.’
His words dripped down her spine like warm honey, melting her uncertainty. She was utterly enchanted by him and when he looked at her with that brooding, almost hypnotic gaze, the heady emotion was impossible to resist. And she refused to let any little niggly concerns that were floating in the back of her mind spoil the moment.
They spent the next three days exploring further afield, places like Fremantle and Rottnest Island, Margaret River and its wineries. Tate spared no expense as they dined and wined their evenings away, spoiling her with amazing experiences.
Bel took extra care dressing for dinner when Tate informed her they were going to a well-known restaurant. She came out only to stop short at the frown on his face. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Where’s the white dress I gave you the other day?’
‘It’s pretty revealing,’ she said, confused by his abrupt question.
‘It’s probably more appropriate for where we’re going.’
‘What’s wrong with this?’ she asked, looking down at the new black satin wide-leg pants and gold halter-neck top she’d brought with her. She felt incredibly chic in the outfit.
‘I prefer you in dresses.’ He shrugged. ‘Go try the white one on for me.’
Bel stared at him for a moment, unsure exactly how to take his request. His frown vanished and that sexy smile of his was back in place.
‘Sorry, babe. No, you’re right. What you’re in is fine. It’s just that, when I booked the restaurant, I was picturing you in that dress.’
Now she felt weird. Maybe pants weren’t a good idea. Her previous excitement over getting ready was replaced with the same nervous anxiety she’d had during the wedding, unsure that what she was doing was good enough compared to the other women, who seemed so confident and graceful. Theyknew what to wear and how to put on make-up, the kinds of things Bel really hadn’t cared about before meeting Tate. They would have known the white dress was the thing for this occasion without needing to be told. ‘No, it’s okay. I’ll go try it on.’
